But it’s not the first time an encounter between an officer and an animal in Maryland has gotten widespread attention. That often leads to changes in training.

Mike Hellgren has more on the impact of this high-profile case.

Baltimore City Police Officer Jeffrey Bolger, who faces animal cruelty charges for using a knife to cut the throat of a Shar Pei named Nala, is getting slammed. Some online have even threatened his life.

The case is extreme and has generated passion and concern among dog owners.

“It’s absolutely terrible. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear something like that. If the animal was dangerous, there are much more humane ways to put a dog down,” said Andrew Pappas, dog owner.

Police have promised a full investigation. They suspended a second officer, Thomas Schmidt, who is accused of holding Nala down while Bolger cut her throat.

“It’s a very good sign that the police themselves have recognized this as outrageous and unacceptable… to use their words,” said Aileen Gabbey, Maryland SPCA. “The police are taking this seriously, which is positive.”

Similar Maryland cases have generated outrage nationwide too, including when a SWAT team killed labs belonging to the mayor of Berwyn Heights. It also happened earlier this year, when an officer shot a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Vern in Anne Arundel County.

An investigation, completed this week, revealed it was justified, but the family is disappointed.